Macau’s government has officially appointed Ng Wai Han as the new Director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), marking the first time a woman has assumed the leadership of the city’s key gaming regulatory authority. Her one-year appointment, which took effect on 7 May 2025, was formalized through an executive order issued by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Tai Kin Ip.

This appointment concludes a lengthy transition in leadership at the DICJ, which had been without a permanent director since December of the previous year. The position became vacant after Adriano Marques Ho stepped down to become Director General of the Macau Customs. Since then, Deputy Director Lio Chi Chong had taken on the role of Acting Director while the government sought a long-term successor.

Extensive experience in public service:

Ng brings a broad portfolio of government service experience to the role. She has served in various positions across Macau’s civil service for over two decades. Her career began in 1999 at the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL), where she initially held the position of senior technical officer in the legal division. Over the following years, she steadily advanced within the bureau, culminating in her appointment as Deputy Director in 2017.

According to Macau Business, in 2020, Ng transitioned to the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau (SAFP), serving first as Deputy Director and then stepping into the Director role in 2023. She held that position until her latest appointment to lead the DICJ. The Secretary for Economy and Finance praised her credentials and suitability for the position, stating, “Ng Wai Han has the professional competence and aptitude to perform the role of Director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, which is demonstrated by her curriculum vitae.”

In addition to her professional background, Ng holds a Bachelor of Law and a Master of Criminal Law, both obtained from Sun Yat-sen University—qualifications that further reinforce her preparedness to oversee one of Macau’s most vital regulatory bodies.

DICJ’s restructuring now complete:

Ng’s appointment is part of a broader reshaping of the DICJ’s senior leadership team. In February 2025, Lei Seak Chio was appointed as one of the bureau’s Deputy Directors, replacing Peter Chui. Lei, like Ng, spent much of his career at the Labour Affairs Bureau. He joined the DSAL in 2005 and served in several key roles, including head of the hazard monitoring department and, more recently, head of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.

This alignment of leadership between Ng and Lei reflects a government strategy of appointing experienced labor and administrative professionals to guide the bureau at a time when regulatory oversight in Macau’s gaming industry is undergoing closer scrutiny and continued adaptation to policy reforms.

The DICJ plays a central role in overseeing Macau’s casino industry, regulating licensing, operations, and compliance across all six licensed operators. With billions in annual gross gaming revenue and increasing attention on transparency, responsible gambling, and international cooperation, the bureau’s leadership has a critical role in maintaining Macau’s standing as a leading global gaming destination.

Aside from its regulatory significance, Ng’s appointment represents a historic step forward for gender representation in Macau’s public institutions. She is the first woman ever to hold the position of DICJ Director, setting a precedent for future appointments in the traditionally male-dominated sector of gaming regulation.